I just recently saw a very inspiring movie about travel and it ignited a spark – I need to take more vacations! I pulled my passport out and realized it’s time for a renewal to prepare for some new adventures. I also realized that I didn’t have a passport cover. Given that I want to start traveling again (it’s been awhile), I decided to create my own using some of my favorite and most inspiring traveling images. I knew that it would be easy to make a DIY passport cover, but I didn’t realize how easy. The hardest part was choosing the photographs! Here’s how I did it.

Photos of your choice – if you use your Instagram photos, you need about 12 – 16 for a cover similar to mine

Cotton fabric in an off white, ¼” yard – you’ll also need a small 5” x 5” square of a second color (any color) for the two inside panels to hold in the passport

Wonder Under iron on fusible web

Aleene’s no-sew glue

Martha Stewart oilcloth finish

Scissors

Ruler and craft knife

Your passport

Iron and ironing board

Step 1

A passport is approximately 4 inches wide x 5 inches tall (it’s actually a little smaller). Cut a piece of the light fabric approximately 12 inches wide x 7 inches tall so that you have some excess to play with. Iron on the Wonder Under following the package instructions carefully. Repeat with the Wonder Under and the contrasting color fabric.

Trim the light fabric to an 8 ½” x 11” sheet using scissors. Set all of the fabric aside.

Step 2

Open a word processing program and set the paper to a horizontal orientation. Start adding images to your layout. I added 20 Instagram images in 2” x 2” squares. Then I quickly realized that I didn’t need that many! 12 images in a 3 x 4 grid, with all photos as 2” x 2” squares, is perfect.

Remove all paper from the printer tray and put your light fabric face down in the tray. Print your photos onto the fabric, and do NOT remove the backing.

Step 3

Place your open passport and decide how large you want to make the cover. I recommend a rectangle approximately 6 ¾” tall by 9” wide. Make sure to center your passport on the images.

Step 4

Use the ruler and craft knife to trim your cover down to the appropriate size.

TIP #1: Cut with the photo side facing up so that you can see exactly where you are cutting.

Step 5

Fold the fabric over your passport to make sure that it fits, and to make sure it’s even on all sides and makes a perfect rectangle.

Step 6

Trim the ends as necessary, using the craft knife and ruler.

Step 7

Now you need to put the side panels into the interior of the cover. This is what holds the passport in place. I used a small rectangle of mint fabric as you can see above. You don’t need to run this through the printer; just leave the Wonder Under ironed on with the backer.

Step 8

Trim down the fabric to be the same height as the passport cover and 2” wide. You’ll need to make two of these pieces.

Step 9

Put the pieces on each end to make sure they fit, and trim as necessary.

Step 10

Glue down on three sides with the fabric glue – don’t forget to leave the interior, long side open so that you can insert your passport!

Step 11

Hold down until the glue is set, then leave it alone for 24 hours to dry completely.

Step 12

To finish your passport case and preserve the outside, paint with two layers of the Martha Stewart Oilcloth finish. Let dry.

My passport cover fits perfectly, and I can’t wait to take it on my next trip!

What do you think – are you ready to try and make your own passport cover? Give it a try and share it in our Idea Exchange.